What Ancient Rome and Rats Have in Common

Did you know there were public restrooms in ancient Rome? They were very different than modern public restrooms. For instance, ancient Romans risked getting bitten on the behind by rats when they used the restroom. In some ways, though, they were similar to modern toilets as there have been reports of rats being found in toilets even today.

Rats, Exploding Toilet Seats and Demons of the Deep: The Hazards of Roman Sewers

I have spent an awful lot of time in Roman sewers – enough to earn me the nickname Queen of Latrines from my friends. The Etruscans laid the first underground sewers in the city of Rome around 500 BC. These cavernous tunnels below the city’s streets …